Using Salt to Optimize Mental & Physical Performance | Huberman Lab

About this video

Huberman discusses salt, or sodium, beyond its usual association with blood pressure, covering how the brain regulates salt appetite and aversion, how sensing salty taste mediates sugar craving, and roles in athletic and cognitive performance, aging and dementia. He emphasises that for some people more salt may help health and functioning, while for others less is better, and that any changes should be made in concert with a physician. Huberman stresses knowing your blood pressure and being especially cautious if hypertensive or prehypertensive. He reviews a paper on dietary sodium for people with orthostatic disorders, who can feel dizzy on standing or chronically fatigued, noting some such groups can benefit from increasing sodium. Huberman recounts an anecdote in which a person with low blood pressure, with a physician’s permission, used a little sea salt in water when craving sugar or feeling lightheaded and found tremendous relief.

Key takeaways

• Huberman argues optimal salt intake differs between individuals rather than being universally low.
• Huberman stresses knowing your blood pressure before increasing sodium intake.
• Huberman reviews evidence that some people with orthostatic disorders may benefit from more sodium.
• Huberman describes salt-sensing systems as also influencing sugar craving.
• Huberman recommends discussing dietary salt changes with a physician.

Episode details: published March 14, 2022 · 2.2M views · 2:03:54 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. The science and protocols described are Andrew Huberman’s, presented for education — not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before changing your own health practices.

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